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Jerome Bettis Interview

Found this interview Bettis did with a Cincinnati radio show regarding the Steelers. This part of it sums up his thoughts on the OC change last offseason and where the offense is now:

(Radio Host): "Would you say the decision to not bring back Bruce Arians and hire Todd Haley was a mistake?"
Bettis: "I think it was a mistake, but it was a long time coming. When your star QB and offensive coordinator were really close and ownership felt that (Ben) wasn't getting enough discipline. It wasn't a one-year thing. Since Ben wasn't getting the discipline, they also felt that (Arians) was giving in to what Ben wanted to do as opposed to the philosophy of the Steelers, which has always been running the football first. When he (Arians) got away from running the football it created a problem in the mindset of the offense and became public enemy number one. I think the Steelers needed to see what kind of team did they have? Not a team that can run the ball 40 times and win. Now with (Todd) Haley, they don't have the personnel to do that and they're not winning".

He believes Arians was in fact too close to Ben. However, he also sees what's happening now isn't working. We all know Jerome is an old-school guy, but even he sees the Steelers are no longer built like that. That should echo loud to Art Rooney II. 7-7 doesn't lie.

Arians had his faults (notably red zones), but I do believe he was fired for some of the wrong reasons.

Since Ben wasn't getting the discipline, they also felt that (Arians) was giving in to what Ben wanted to do as opposed to the philosophy of the Steelers, which has always been running the football first.

That's not how we've won games since 2004-2011 Jerome. Whither you want to admit that or not you egotistical self promoter.

That's not how we've won games since 2004-2011 Jerome. Whither you want to admit that or not you egotistical self promoter.

I must admit I roll my eyes whenever I see his show on WPXI and he proclaims "THE STEELERS HAVE TO RUN THE BALL!" But obviously this season has opened his eyes a little bit. If he sees that the Steelers can't play that way, then it's definitely time for the organization to re-think its philosophies.

Hey Jerome running the ball all those years with you as the featured player on offense littered the Steelers trophy case with Lombardis......lol I loved Jerome as a player but I find him so annoying in his retirement..........Please just shut up Jerome......

When you have an elite QB, the emphasis should be on passing the football, but you can't abandon the run either. The run will compliment the pass and vice versa. Nothing and I mean nothing slows down a good pass rush quite an efficient running game.

we dont have the personal to run the ball like we used to. and the league has changed since bettis played. loved bettis as a player, but he offered little as an analyst for nbc why he was axed. alot of these EX players become just bitter old has beens (aka Terry Bradshaw).

I'm not going to praise bruce arians. No way! Was glad to see him go. Haley is trying to save bens body, ill give him that.

He believes Arians was in fact too close to Ben. However, he also sees what's happening now isn't working.

That's funny, because before Ben's injury, people were saying that he's having the best year in a while, and was a possible MVP candidate. We saw the offense hold the ball for more than 30 minutes time and again and kept the other team's O off the field. Haley's offense is bring Ben to another level. Give them another year or two together and they may do some great things.

What's working right this minute isn't working, that's true. But we've seen like 98 configurations of the offensive line, receivers dropping the ball faster than the Post Office can go bankrupt and our starting running back demoted and then benched.

There's nothing wrong with this offense that players staying healthy and holding on to the ball when it hits them in the hands wouldn't soundly fix.

That's funny, because before Ben's injury, people were saying that he's having the best year in a while, and was a possible MVP candidate. We saw the offense hold the ball for more than 30 minutes time and again and kept the other team's O off the field. Haley's offense is bring Ben to another level. Give them another year or two together and they may do some great things.

What's working right this minute isn't working, that's true. But we've seen like 98 configurations of the offensive line, receivers dropping the ball faster than the Post Office can go bankrupt and our starting running back demoted and then benched.

There's nothing wrong with this offense that players staying healthy and holding on to the ball when it hits them in the hands wouldn't soundly fix.

They led the league in TOP last year under Arians, so that argument holds no merit.

As for Ben's stats, sure they're great. Dink-and-dunk usually results in a high completion percentage. This offense isn't bringing Ben to another level, it's dumbing him down to a Mike Tomzack. They need to be a downfield passing team. They need quick scores, not long possessions. The Steelers are playing scared small ball right now, and it has resulted in a 7-7 record. Quit relying so much on stats and look at the big picture.

As for the excuses of "you have to give it another year" - yo, Arians had the 9th ranked offense his first year, Haley has the 20th. If a dud like Arians can coach the 9th ranked offense in his first year, no excuses for Haley.

The truth of the matter is if Ben is not comfortable in this offense, then it won't work. Art Rooney II can demand Ben change and pout all he wants, but it won't work if the QB isn't comfortable with the playcalling. Ownership needs to change it's philosophy if the Steelers plan on winning anytime soon.